The Fourth Sunday in Advent
An online service of worship
Scripture Texts: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-5, 19-29; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
Sermon: The King of the Endless Now
God’s will is to build his anointed a house, a throne of an everlasting kingdom—and to do so by his steadfast love, not David’s industry. God promised to do this and he is faithful to accomplish it, for his faithfulness is established in the heavens. His promise is eternal, unchanging. We too, may rely upon him as the Rock of our salvation, and become strengthened through his gospel. The once hidden mystery of his kingdom is now revealed so that our obedience may be the obedience of faith in "The King of the Endless Now."
Here's an online jigsaw of the Scripture graphic posted above.
Video
Order of Worship
Collect
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,
Text: trans. John M. Neale; Tune: “French Processional,” “Veni Emmanuel”
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times did give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain
O come, strong Branch of Jesse, free
your own from Satan’s tyranny.
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o'er the grave. Refrain
O Come, blest Dayspring, come and cheer,
our spirits by your advent here.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
and death’s dark shadows put flight. Refrain
O come, O Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe the way that leads on high
and close the path to misery. Refrain
Apostolic Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
Kyrie
In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.
Prayer of the Day
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Psalm 89:1-5, 19-29 (responses are the even-numbered, bold verses)
1Your love, O Lord, forever will I sing;
from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
2For I am persuaded that your love is established forever;
you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
3“I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
4‘I will establish your line forever,
and preserve your throne for all generations.’”
5The heavens bear witness to your wonders, O Lord,
and to your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones;
19You spoke once in a vision and said to your faithful people:
“I have set the crown upon a warrior and have exalted one chosen out of the people.
20I have found David my servant;
with my holy oil have I anointed him.
21My hand will hold him fast
and my arm will make him strong.
22No enemy shall deceive him,
nor any wicked man bring him down.
23I will crush his foes before him
and strike down those who hate him.”
24My faithfulness and love shall be with him,
and he shall be victorious through my name.
25I shall make his dominion extend
from the Great Sea to the River.
26He will say to me, ‘You are my Father,
my God, and the rock of my salvation.’
27I will make him my firstborn
and higher than the kings of the earth.
28I will keep my love for him forever,
and my covenant will stand firm for him.
29I will establish his line forever
and his throne as the days of heaven.”
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38
Sermon: “The King of the Endless Now”
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen
Offertory Prayer
Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us—our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
Blessing
Announcements
• In-person services are suspended during the current spike in the coronavirus. Please join us for livestream worship Sunday mornings at 10:30 ET, on our Facebook page. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. The video will be posted here following the livestream.
• Join Susan and Pastor Ryman on our Facebook page for a Christmas Eve service at 7:00pm ET, December 24th.
• St. Mark's and New Hope Lutheran Church in Kannapolis have formed a common parish. We welcome visitors to our online and in-person services. We hope you will join us—or continue watching services on our website if distance or other reasons do not allow you to be with us in our sanctuaries.
Sunday Livestreamed Worship
10:30am ET @ our parish Facebook page
Wednesday Livestreamed Prayer
7:30pm ET @ our parish Facebook page
Sundays In-person
9:00am ET @ New Hope, 1615 Brantley Road, Kannapolis, NC
11:00am ET @ St. Mark's, 5002 Mooresville Rd., Salisbury, NC
Offering
There are two ways to give your offering.
Or mail check to:
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
5202 Mooresville Rd,
Salisbury, NC 28147